Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

There are no statistics available on those affected by the public service marriage bar. However, the requirement to leave work on marriage also applied in many private sector areas, where it was customary. The Department estimates that approximately 30,000 women do not receive support through the social welfare system in their own right or as qualified adults.

Regarding farming, at the launch of this Green Paper I made it clear that we cannot begin this debate on an exclusive basis. It must be inclusive so that all elements in society must be included in the debate.

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